Reporting for duty!

[shmax]

Okay, I've got something for ya to work on. A while back I set things up so that each part in the database could have any number of alternate forms assigned to it, but before that there was a limit of 3 forms. There are a few Transformer toys that have more than 3 forms, and we need someone to go through and make sure they have their missing forms added. A few caveats:

- we're not considering "gestalt" forms to be alternate forms for now--we have plans down the line to support that with a more advanced solution--so don't worry about those.
- we do consider "battle modes" to be additional forms. If you find any of those we're missing, be sure to use the "override" feature (see the question mark help popup on the form widget) to embellish the form name.

Don't go hog wild until you're sure you understand what you're doing, but at the same time don't be afraid to break anything--all changes are quarantined for approval before being applied to the database.

You can IM me if you have any questions. Good luck!

[shmax]

Filled some holes in Beast Machines which is almost done except for a few 2packs and mcdonalds toys

Fantastic! I have a feeling that the McBeasts don't have product nor assortment numbers, but we'll see what Ed says.

[DJkevintron]

each figure came in a bag with a single number in the top right(1-9) but I cant remember if they were bags or boxes the happy means came in they may have a barcode on them as well.

[DJkevintron]

Sixshot for example is correct but that is what you are talking about right?  If his laser pistol mode was not listed i would add that and thats what I'll be searching for.

[shmax]

Sixshot for example is correct but that is what you are talking about right?  If his laser pistol mode was not listed i would add that and thats what I'll be searching for.

Yep, exactly. I think Ed already hit a few of the tastier challenges, including that nutty Megatron that has 10 forms, but there are no doubt many more hidden away throughout Transformerdom.

[DJkevintron]

I just added battle station mode to motormaster north america g1.  I tried to type in the overide alt mode but it kept saying i had to select something.  I found a battle station in the drop down box so i picked that.  Is this right and did i try to add the override the wrong way?  Once its added to that it should add to all varients as long as they use the same mold.

[engledogg]

You have to select a form first, and then you can use the override feature.

Checking it out now, and it looks good to go...

Thanks!
MIKE
engledogg

[DJkevintron]

so I would pick basemode from the drop down but If we wanted to say car launcher for example i would then type that into the overide box?  I just want to be sure before i do any more.

[shmax]

That's the general idea, but you still want to communicate somehow that this is primarily a battle station/base, so you might do something like "Battle Station w/Car Launch". There probably won't be too many cases where you have to worry about the override stuff. It's a brand-new feature and we're still trying to evaluate how to get the most out of it. When in doubt, leave it blank!

[shmax]

By the way, +100 cool points for using the contest sig! I do hope this isn't the only forum where you're using it...

[engledogg]

Actually, according to the instructions, it's called a "ramp"...so, yeah, I think battle station sounds a bit better than ramp. :-)

MIKE
engledogg

[DJkevintron]

When the Hypersonic Attack Mode is added to the optimal optimus mold Beast Machines has all alt modes listed.  I'm gonna comb beast wars next....

[engledogg]

Cool...I did an override on his tank form to reflect his "Ground Assault Mode", as well.

MIKE
engledogg

[shmax]

Sounds good, guys. I have a few comments to add on "overrides". First, make sure that your override still gives some notion of what the form is. So instead of just Ground Assault Mode, try "Ground Assault Mode" Tank. I think a good convention is to use quotes any time we're borrowing a sort of funky descriptor from the packaging or manual for a toy. Second, be careful about using those descriptors from the packaging/manual. Any override you choose should be versatile enough to be appropriate for all toys that share that mold. Let's say for example that they decide to reissue Optimal Optimus for the next movie, but instead of "Ground Assault Mode", they decide to call it "Michael Bay Mode". Then they'd have made liars out of us. Or consider the Japanese version of each toy--they may well use an entirely different name for this attack mode. I can see the appeal of wanting to use the package/manual terminology, so we can also consider some technical solutions. Two options spring to mind right away:
1. Decouple the override from the mold/form syncing, meaning that any changes you make to the override would not get shared among all parts that use that mold. Then you could make each one specific.
2. Add a super specific second override that overrides the override, if you will. The first override would get shared around, the second override wouldn't. If the second override is set for a toy, then that gets used instead of the first override.

Thoughts?

[DJkevintron]

OK so alt mode listing is just a discription I wasnt clear on that.  I guess in that case I would be more of a fan of a second override thats toy specific.  Something like alt mode title.  >alt mode= jet > alt name=Hypersonic Attack Mode. Would that help or hinder searches?